As Jill Frank watched her nephew play high school football, another set of athletes caught her photographic eye.
“I was fascinated by these cheerleaders on the sidelines,” she said. “They were flipping each other forward and backward and really working hard. I couldn’t believe how disciplined they were.”
This observation led the professional photographer to team up with the Brenau University competitive cheerleaders for a research project. The Golden Tigers are a three-time national champion in the NAIA division of the National Cheerleading Association (NCA).
The 18-month-long coordinated effort evolved into an art exhibit at the former CNN Center, also called The CTR, in Atlanta. Titled “Discordant Structure,” a handful of black-and-white photos of Brenau’s competitive cheerleaders will be on permanent display inside and atop three billboards outside. The pictures plus audio of one of the team members were also shown in a 15-minute video broadcast Oct. 5-6 on The CTR’s exterior facade.
“I believe it is a blessing,” said Anslee Banks, a senior and competitive cheerleader at Brenau University. “Growing up doing competitive cheer, I heard people say it is not a sport. Now, it is being recognized for its physicality and mentality.”
Bralee Housworth, Brenau’s competitive cheerleading head coach, was excited for the sport and her team.
“We aren’t a spirit squad,” the fifth-year coach said, explaining competitive cheer is closer to a gymnastics team with its skills of flipping and stunting. “We don’t have the opportunity to be seen on the sidelines at a game. These photos show what college competitive cheerleading is. And it is so cool that it is in Atlanta.”
Brenau is roughly 54 miles northeast of The CTR, which is a stone’s throw away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The two-month-long summer competition was the quadrennial international men’s soccer championship.
“Who knew this display would have so much reach,” said Danielle Scott, a Brenau alumna and former assistant coach of competitive cheerleading. “Most people aren’t interested in the sport unless they are a part of it.”
Banks, who has been a member of the cheerleading team since 2024, enjoyed being part of the photographic project.
“There are a lot of moving parts in what we do, and we had to be still,” the Lula, Georgia, native said. “She wanted to take our serious and complex sport and showcase it in a visually aesthetic way.”
Now, the Atlanta area can see Brenau’s cheerleaders when they visit The CTR, pass by its billboards or watch the video. Or maybe it could lead to more.
“Seeing yourself on a billboard is amazing,” Banks said. “But maybe someone will see the pictures, and another cheerleading gym could be born.”
